Councillor quits as fraudster reveals two-year relationship with Mariners owner

Alex May and John Fenty

Convicted fraudster Alex May has known Grimsby Town majority shareholder and former deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire John Fenty for two years and has had meetings with the council over potential redevelopment projects in Grimsby, according to new revelations on Monday.

Meanwhile, on Monday evening, Fenty announced he was stepping down as deputy leader with responsibility for regeneration and housing and skills at the council, ending a tumultuous day in North-East Lincolnshire.

Earlier in the day, May spoke to Radio Humberside about his relationship with Fenty – who he described as a “friend” – after being spotted at Blundell Park for the Mariners’ home game with Mansfield Town on Saturday. May confirmed that Fenty was aware of his criminal past which saw him change his name by deed poll from Alick Kapikanya after he was jailed in 2014 for six years for heading up a group which targeted elderly homeowners in Manchester from 2007.

Reports suggest that May and his accomplices at the time stole their identities, seized ownership of their houses then repeatedly remortgaged them – walking away with £3.5m.

Much to the chagrin of Grimsby Town fans, it has since emerged that May set up a company called Town Centre Living (TCL) earlier this year. May has since stepped down as a director, but admitted that the company had been looking at property development opportunities across the north of England.

May told Radio Humberside: “I’ve known of Grimsby Town going back two years when I was advising Colin Dodd who had shown an interest in buying the club. I became friends with John Fenty since then and have been trying to help introduce investment to the club and help with its relocation.”

In April 2019, Dodd registered a company called Meadow Lane Project. Its address was listed as 7 The Ropewalk, Nottingham. This was changed in September last year to Blundell Park Project.

May added: “John and I set up a company called TCL, with the purpose of undertaking property development across the country. But because I was showing an interest in club, we didn’t think it was the right thing for me to be a director of TCL. I’ve looked at plans to be part of the regeneration of Grimsby, but I’ve not been made any promises by John FentyPlans in town – want to be part of regeneration.

“On Saturday I was invited to Blundell Park John Fenty.”

May said he has no interest in buying in club, but that he “wanted to buy small amount of shares and help relocation of the club.”

He also confirmed he has been three times to Blundell Park in recent weeks.

He added: “There has been a clear message over the weekend that fans are unhappy. The club belongs to fans – so any investment is now off the table.

“John Fenty hasn’t said much to me since – our relationship still continues from my point of view.”

However, in another twist on Monday evening, a statement from Grimsby Town chairman Philip Day seemed to suggest that May was considering a larger investment than “few shares”.

“The Board of Grimsby Town Football Club PLC have met this evening to consider an application by Mr Alex May to acquire shares in the Club.

“The Board have agreed to reject the offer. Contrary to certain statements made in the media this was not an application to acquire the Club or a controlling interest in it. It was an application to acquire shares and nothing more.

“The Board had previously made it clear to Mr May that because of his criminal conviction he could not become a director or be involved in the management of the Club. He understood that position but nevertheless still wished to proceed with the share acquisition. However in all the circumstances the Board declined to accept the offer.

“Mr May had visited the Club on occasions to discuss his proposal. He wished to acquire £1,000,000 of shares which would not have been used for the day-to-day running of the Club but as a contribution towards the cost of a new training facility for use of the Club and also the local community.”

May was allegedly heading up a group that was interested in buying Notts County from Alan Hardy in June 2019. The consortium, headed up by lawyer Colin Dodd, went as far as meeting with Nottingham City Council over plans to buy the Meadow Lane Club – a move which failed after widespread opposition from Magpies fans.

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